• J.D., magna cum laude, Baylor Law School, 1996
• B.A., Baylor University, 1993

Public Figures and Institutions

Represented Rice University in a lawsuit based on an arrest by one of its state-commissioned peace officers. Filed a summary judgment in the trial court based on immunity, but it was denied. On appeal, successfully obtained an opinion from the Texas Supreme Court concluding that Rice University was entitled to seek interlocutory appellate review when immunity is denied. Secured a reversal on appeal of the trial court’s denial of summary judgment, resulting in the entire case being dismissed.

Professional Athletes

Represented baseball legend Roger Clemens in the litigation and appeal of a civil defamation suit against a former trainer. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner was named in a report on steroid abuse by baseball players based solely on accusations made by his former trainer, and Mr. Clemens strongly denied that. Handled the appeal of trial court’s granting of immunity to the former trainer and the dismissal for lack of jurisdiction.

Commercial Matters

Represented Block 58 Investors, LLC, in a commercial dispute involving the right to develop the property where the former Houston Chronicle building was located and the ability to construct an underground tunnel beneath it. Filed a motion for summary judgment that gave the client a term of certainty as to its development. Examined the agreement between the two parties and laid out for the court a strong basis for why the client had a right to develop the property. This effort resulted in the court granting a declaration of rights that were valuable to the client in moving ahead with the development plan.

Represented Smith Energy Company in a commercial dispute against a former business associate for a variety of claims, including theft and breach of contract. The parties entered into oil and gas exploration agreements that required the former business associate to provide certain landman services that he subsequently failed to provide. The case involved two trips to the appellate courts. The first was a mandamus proceeding involving a challenge of the trial court’s refusal to transfer the venue. The second was the appeal of the judgment where the theft and breach-of-contract findings were upheld. Negotiated a favorable settlement of the case while the matter was pending before the Texas Supreme Court.

Represented NCI Building Systems, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of metal construction components, in a fraud claim. The company’s former executive vice president had started a competing business in violation of his retirement agreement, taking more than 370,000 of NCI’s internal company documents without permission. After three weeks of complicated testimony, a jury found the former executive committed fraud, and the trial court awarded NCI a $2.2 million judgment. Provided critical trial support and jury charge work. Successfully maintained the judgment on appeal.

• “Equitable Relief at Trial and on Appeal,” University of Texas School of Law 28th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals, 2018
• “When and How to Seek Equitable Relief,” State Bar of Texas Litigation Section Report, The Advocate, 2017
• “Equitable Relief:  How To Obtain It Or Defeat It,” State Bar of Texas 30th Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice, 2016
• “Settlement on Appeal,” University of Texas School of Law 23rd Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals, 2013

• Reynolds v. Sanchez Oil & Gas Corp., 635 S.W.3d 636 (Tex. 2021)
• Montelongo v. Abrea, 622 S.W.3d 290 (Tex. 2021)
• Enter. Crude GP LLC v. Sealy Partners, LLC, 614 S.W.3d 283 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2020, no pet.)
• Shillinglaw v. Baylor Univ., 05-17-00498-CV, 2018 WL 3062451 (Tex. App.—Dallas June 21, 2018, pet. denied)
• Hardwick v. Smith Energy Co., 500 S.W.3d 474 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2016), review granted, judgment vacated, and remanded by agreement (Tex. Mar. 10, 2017)
• William Marsh Rice Univ. v. Refaey, 495 S.W.3d 531 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016, pet. denied)
• William Marsh Rice Univ. v. Refaey, 459 S.W.3d 590 (Tex. 2015)
• Ginn v. NCI Bldg. Sys., Inc., 472 S.W.3d 802 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2015, no pet.)
• In re Hardwick, 426 S.W.3d 151 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2012, no pet.)
• Clemens v. McNamee, 615 F.3d 374 (5th Cir. 2010)

• Best Lawyers in America, 2020-2022
• Baylor Law Review
• National Order of Barristers
• Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2020-2022
• Texas Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2004, 2006-2010